Pax Plena: Book Review: What Sex Is a Republican? by Terri McCormick

I’m sad to say, but some six weeks ago(!!!), I was invited to review the newly minted edition of What Sex Is a Republican? by former Wisconsin State Representative Terri McCormick. Between winding down my last year of law school, and an avalanche of final papers, I let the opportunity slip somewhat. But having recently graduated from law school, and having not yet begun BarBri, I’m now glad to offer the following review of Rep. McCormick’s book.

Admittedly, I was more than a bit skeptical of What Sex is a Republican? before I began reading it.

Books trafficking anywhere near the topic of gender tend to leave me queasy – mainly because they are so seldom done well. Most books taking up the issue of gender and society fall into either the the ‘angry-at-men feminists,’ or the ‘barefooted-pregnant-wife traditionalists.’ Given that the book runs in the neighborhood of 320 pages, I was pleased that Ms. McCormick’s book fell into neither stereotype. In fact, the coup de maître of What Sex Is a Republican? is that it had little to do with the sexes at all, and much more to do with the ‘Republicans.’

Beginning in the middle 1990s, the missive largely chronicles Ms. McCormick’s passion for local, public education, outlining the series of events that led to her entry into public service. While the text is a bit heavily laden with local, Wisconsin politics, McCormick effectively uses the political war stories from her time in the Wisconsin Legislature, and her run for Congress in 2006 to make larger points about the state of the American political system.

In particular, Ms. McCormick pays keen attention to the problem of institutional politics, explaining how some of the fiercest intra-party squabbles can be even more contentious than feuds between opposing political parties. The result, of course, is that meaningful policy reform gets stymied before it can even begin. McCormick calls this the difference between front-row and back-row leadership – the distinction being that party bosses tend to aggrandize power for its own sake, while paying little interest in actual policy reforms suggested by junior members (p.122).

While the book takes its shots at the Wisconsin GOP brass, surprisingly, its pays relatively little attention to the policy differences between the two parties. McCormick is careful to label herself a populist, equating the term with “people-run government” (p.174). And while she references her “free- and fair-market,” “limited government” core principles, it is not clear that this is a political philosophy that is confined to either the right or the left (p.24). Ultimately, this may be the key insight of the entire book. McCormick makes little hay of the differences between the political parties because, “Deception and corruption is an equal opportunity employer for political parties” (p.270). Put differently, the problems in American politics are systemic, rather than partisan. The rub for McCormick is that the lot falls on rank and file citizens to get involved in politics and “change the way things are” (p.271).

In this sense, the book really reads more like a text book – full of case studies, and examples aimed at encouraging citizen-legislators to go it alone, seeking elected office on the basis of personal convictions and values. In describing the campaign process, perhaps, the most refreshing aspect of the read was Ms. McCormick’s candor. One easily gets the impression that talk about transparency (p.235), citizen leadership (p.150), and ethics (p.266) are sincere cornerstones of Ms. McCormick’s philosophy – even if she is a bit hard on us bloggers (p.185). Similarly, one easily gets the impression that running for office, its attendant political intrigue, and fundraising are exactly why so many capable Americans avoid politics altogether.

In all, I am glad to give the book my enthusiastic recommendation, and commend it for your reading pleasure. I see the book appealing to those who are interested in politics generally, since McCormick offers plenty of insight into the world of realpolitik. Yet, I also see the book appealing to the would-be politicos lurking about, since it is eminently practical, providing checklists, charts, and a healthy smattering of policy templates, press releases, and even an entire chapter devoted to running one’s own campaign.

I should hasten to add, in the interest of full disclosure, that former Rep. McCormick is presently seeking the GOP nomination in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, which includes such cities as Green Bay, Appleton, and Marinette.

For what it’s worth, given her clarity of thought, and passion for serving people rather than passion for politics, the people of Wisconsin’s 8th District would do well to elect so principled a leader.

“What Sex Is a Republican?” Book Review By SherriesBooks.Blogspot.com

What Sex Is a Republican? takes a look at the political game from behind the curtain with one intention; to call on each of us to serve in our local, state and federal governments. The principles of republican government have been lost on the money changers in our state and national capitols.

There is only one way to change that — We the people must take responsibility for what our government has become while we weren’t looking. As he left Liberty Hall upon signing the Constitution of the United States, Benjamin Franklin was asked, “What kind of government did you give us?” Franklin replied, “A republic, if you can keep it!”

Let’s keep it together, shall we?

What Sex Is a Republican? presents a case for courage by a lawmaker who is uniquely qualified to do so. The author, Terri McCormick is a former legislator and congressional candidate who is a woman. According to her friends and foes alike, “Terri has been battle tested in state and federal politics.” An advocate for political and government reform and change, former Representative Terri McCormick has proven time and again that “ideas” trump “career politicians” and their trysts and turns.

MY THOUGHTS: Do you vote? Do you grumble and moan after the elections? Did the person you voted for get elected? Do you know their track record? These are questions you should ask yourself at election time. Because if you don’t like the outcome, then do something about it. This book gives you lots of info about the way our political system works. And what’s wrong with it! If you want to know just read this book. Terri McCormick tells you all the in’s and out’s of the system, who is who and what is what. This is a very interesting book. I would highly recommend this book is you want to find out how the system works. Terri McCormick doesn’t hold anything back, she tells it all.

Book review: What Sex Is A Republican?: Stories from the Front Lines in American Politics and How You Can Change The Way Things Are, by Terri McCormick, M.A.

April 30, 2010

Perhaps Terri McCormick didn’t have those who became politically attuned thanks to their local TEA Parties in mind when she started to write her book, but it comes at an opportune time for those who would like to expand their newly-minted political involvement into a bid for seeking elective office.

While TEA Parties weren’t being contemplated yet in the early 1990’s, Terri McCormick was leading a grassroots effort of her own. After becoming involved in her children’s school, Terri worked for change within the system but was stymied by the powerful teacher’s unions. She was forced to build a broad coalition and take her fight to the statewide level – through her leadership the state’s legislature finally adopted the necessary reforms and allowed the formation of charter schools.

At times, What Sex Is A Republican? does read like a how-to textbook for would-be politicians, including a short summary of bullet points after each chapter. It’s a method of giving some of the nuts-and-bolts of campaigning from a woman who has been there: after spearheading the drive leading to charter schools and educational reform in Wisconsin, Terri McCormick ran for and won a seat in Wisconsin’s state legislature in 2000.

But even more telling in the story is McCormick’s heavy emphasis on the political gamesmanship once a candidate wins office and arrives ready to serve constituents. Her book talks at length about the treatment she encountered while in the Wisconsin House, couching the dealing and backbiting she witnessed in Machiavellian terms.

And while she decries the “vertical silo” of radical partisanship exhibited by many in both parties, her most bitter venom comes at the expense of what Terri calls “front row politicians,” the party leadership which controls how the legislative game is played. Those who have that sort of political power determine which bills are moved, which amendments are added, and even select the staffers who work with their inferiors, who are relegated to the back benches.

Yet the political shenanigans didn’t stop there. In 2006 McCormick opted to leave the Wisconsin legislature to make a bid for Congress, only to find out after she’d made the decision that she was not the “chosen” candidate in the race and that Beltway Republicans had already decided to back her opponent. Terri noted during a campaign appearance afterward that, “I am running for the Eighth Congressional District against George W. Bush.”

In writing What Sex Is A Republican?, Terri McCormick manages to reinforce practically every stereotype of the person we’ve come to expect as a career politician: arrogant, vainglorious among his peers, and exhibiting an insatiable lust for power. Sadly, she also correctly points out that most regular folks are drummed out of the political business because they just have too many morals to get along in such a system.

Still, McCormick obviously believes that, despite its faults, there is a place for good people in our political system. Moreover, she feels that, with the assistance of a populist campaign built upward from the grassroots, it is possible for people who want to be there for the right reasons to run and win despite today’s political climate. While her book could have been tightened up a little bit, Terri McCormick’s case for convincing a would-be candidate he or she can make a difference is strong and those who aspire to political office, particularly women, may well find this a helpful guide to read and follow.

Perhaps Terri McCormick didn’t have those who became politically attuned thanks to their local TEA Parties in mind when she started to write her book, but it comes at an opportune time for those who would like to expand their newly-minted political involvement into a bid for seeking elective office.

National Book Reviews From MSMDCNEWS

April 26, 2010

What Sex Is a Republican?: Stories from the Front Lines in American Politics and How You Can Change the Way Things Are

Product Description

What Sex Is a Republican? takes a look at the political game from behind the curtain with one intention; to call on each of us to serve in our local, state and federal governments. The principles of republican government have been lost on the money changers in our state and national capitols.

There is only one way to change that — We the people must take responsibility for what our government has become while we weren’t looking. As he left Liberty Hall upon signing the Constitution of the United States, Benjamin Franklin was asked, “What kind of government did you give us?” Franklin replied, “A republic, if you can keep it!”

Let’s keep it together, shall we?

What Sex Is a Republican? presents a case for courage by a lawmaker who is uniquely qualified to do so. The author, Terri McCormick is a former legislator and congressional candidate who is a woman. According to her friends and foes alike, “Terri has been battle tested in state and federal politics.” An advocate for political and government reform and change, former Representative Terri McCormick has proven time and again that “ideas” trump “career politicians” and their trysts and turns.

“What Sex is a Republican?” Book Review By StandByLiberty.org

April 6, 2010

What Sex is a Republican? Ask Terri McCormick – If You are Thinking About Running for Office, You Need to Read this Book First

You know, the title of the book is attention getting to be sure, but the contents are just as interesting. Terri McCormick, a former state legislator from Wisconsin gives you a look inside what its like to try to run for and hold office in America. “What Sex is a Republican?” takes you on a short but detailed look into the ins and outs of state and national politics that few other books ever will. Even if you are not running for office, this book gives insight into just how hard or confusing navigating the political waterways can be, on either side of the isle. It also shows why it is so hard to get anything accomplished, moving a massive political machine is not an easy task.

Terri is a grassroots type of politician, she believes in campaigning one on one, she explains that no matter what your budget may be for television or radio ads, meeting the people, shaking hands and talking with them is the number one way to get their vote. She laid out the approximate costs related to running for office, that alone may be an eye opener for many people who have no idea how much money a candidate must raise to just be competitive in today’s world. She also goes into detail on how running head on into a parties establishment can end up having your political career cut short for you. Terri was in the state legislature for six years and ran for a US congressional seat, which as she found out brought on a entirely new level of inside the game maneuvering. It seems she had the nerve to think she was really elected to serve her constituents. What a novel concept. She was a reformer and a grassroots politician who rattled the cages of the party leadership and when she stepped out to run for national office they pulled the rug out from under her rather abruptly. “What Sex is a Republican?”, takes you places very few others will even talk about, backroom deals and doing favors so you get a favor somewhere down the road all come into play.

This book really does fit in very well with whats happening inside our nation today. Look at the party line votes on health care, a bill that by all rights should never have passed, yet it did. It did because too few Democrats had the courage to express their independence from their leadership, something that McCormick never seemed to have a problem with. When you are done reading this book you will be struck by and remember a few things. First, the entire concept of what she is talking about, representing people and ideas, looking out for the citizens who you represent and being responsible for your votes, is a concept that we find in the Tea Party groups. The terms “grassroots politics” and “astro-turf” get tossed around a lot these days, in her book she makes it clear that you should run because you have ideas, not a desire for power. Terri made it obvious she got into office and upset people, some in her own party, but she always believed she was doing the right thing. As she expresses throughout the book, you have to face yourself the next day. There are true hero’s in politics and Terri had one that left a lasting impression on her, he helped her when she and her family really needed it. That left an impression on her that she never lost and its an impression she passes along to her readers.

As I said when I started out, if you are considering running for any office, you need to read this book. She lays out everything from advertising strategies and costs to asking yourself why your running in the first place. One thing that stuck out was a section of the book where she lists everything you should have when running for office in a checklist form, one item in particular jumped up. She said to make sure you have a copy of a book written by Winston Churchill, because you would need the courage. True, but you might want to get a copy of hers as well, it provides information and provokes thought as well as providing a little courage on its own. You can find her book on Amazon and it is put out by Capitol Press, buy a copy, its a good read.

Upcoming Book Signing Featuring Author Terri McCormick: What Sex is a Republican?

December 8, 2009

MEET AND Greet the Author: Author, Terri McCormick to Speak at Marian University

Marian University, located in Fond du Lac Wisconsin, is a Catholic applied liberal arts institution of higher learning sponsored by the Congregation of St. Agnes. http://www.marianuniversity.edu

Terri McCormick will be discussing her book and signing copies in the Marian University Stayer Center, 45 S National Avenue, Fond du Lac on Thursday, December 10 beginning at 4:00pm. McCormick will meet and greet with attendees in the Stayer Center Dining Room beginning at 4:00pm and will then talk briefly about the book and answer questions beginning at 4:30pm. Book signing will take place from 5:00pm-6:00pm. Light refreshments will be served.

McCormick’s recently released book, What Sex Is a Republican? includes “Stories From the Front Lines of American Politics and How You Can Change the Way Things Are”. This text offers all Americans an inspiring and personal message and a call to action for all those interested in the future of American politics. McCormick reports from the front line of politics, stressing that our future depends on finding ‘integrity leaders’ to replace the career politicians infecting our system. This dramatic change is needed if we are to return to the basic foundation laid by our founding fathers and forefather.

Terri McCormick is a public policy and leadership innovator. She is the President of McCormick Dawson CPG, Ltd., a marketing and public relations firm. McCormick was a State Representative to the Wisconsin State Legislature from 2000 to 2006. She is a Truman Scholar nominee for the State of Wisconsin. She currently resides in Appleton, Wisconsin.

McCormick is a graduate of the 2002 Bowhay Institute, in Legislative Leadership Development. Currently, Terri McCormick has taken doctorate level coursework in Public Policy and Administration. McCormick further holds a Bachelor’s Degree, Magna cum Laude, Political Science and European Studies, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, having completed coursework at UW-Fond du Lac prior to transferring to UW-Oshkosh. McCormick also earned a Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership, Highest Honors at Marian University Fond du Lac, WI and additionally, holds an Education Certificate from Lawrence University, Appleton WI as well as credentials in graduate work in political theory at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario.

Former Rep. Terri McCormick takes “What Sex Is a Republican?” on the Road

December 1, 2009

Terri McCormick, former state representative and author of What Sex is a Republican?, will be participating in a book signing at the Miami Book Fair International in Miami, Fla., on Nov. 14. The fair is one of the first stops in McCormick’s upcoming book tour.

What Sex is a Republican? Stories from the Front Lines of American Politics and How You Can Change the Way Things Are, released last month, takes a behind the scenes look at the American political game with one intention: to call citizens with integrity to take ownership of their government and run for office.

“The political gender has no biological or anatomical designation,” McCormick said. “It refers to a ‘political class’ that transcends Democrats, Republicans, conservatives and liberals – men and women – comprised of those who are endowed with an elite arrogance, instead of self-service, at the expense of the American people.”

McCormick has already spoken at the University of Chicago and in front of Rotary International groups. She is scheduled to speak at several universities, taxpayer associations and civic organizations in the upcoming months.

Miami Book Fair International is the largest literary gathering in the United Sates. The 26th annual book fair, sponsored by the Florida Center for the Literary Arts, takes place from Nov. 8-15, 2009 at Miami Dade College in Miami, Fla.

The Florida Center for the Literary Arts promotes reading and writing throughout the year by presenting literary activities open to everyone in South Florida. Visit www.miamibookfair.com for more information.

About Terri McCormick and What Sex is a Republican?

Terri McCormick is a public policy and leadership innovator. She was a State Representative in Wisconsin from 2000 to 2006 and a candidate for the U.S. Congress in 2006. She wrote What Sex is a Republican?, released in 2009, based on her experiences behind the curtain in politics to encourage citizens to change the way things are.

McCormick lives in Appleton, Wisc., and is embarking on a speaking tour in the upcoming months to promote her book in the Midwestern United States. Visit www.mccormickstandard.com for more information.

Terri McCormick asks ‘What sex is a Republican?’

November 9, 2009

Terri McCormick, who served in the state Assembly from 2000 to 2006, was appalled by the “front row politics” of partisan extremes while in office and after she lost her primary bid for the 8th District Congress. The president of consulting group McCormick Dawson talked with Insight Editor Margaret LeBrun about why she wrote her new book, What Sex is a Republican?

When I was running for the 8th Congressional district in 2006, individuals were surprised that someone who looked like me was running in Northeast Wisconsin. I heard comments like, “Oh, you’re conservative leaning and you’re a woman? We’ve never seen that combination before.” I was taken aback by that because I had not understood that there were any barriers to gender or ethnicity or religion in this country.

After the race in 2006 I decided it was time to take a look at the political system itself and see what I could do to transform it back to where it was intended – and that is to be a representative democracy of the people. I decided to write What Sex is a Republican? – Stories From the Front Line in Politics (And How You Can Change the Way Things Are).

Certainly, in my political party, the Republican party, there is a belief in limited government, the Constitution and the civil liberties that Abraham Lincoln was a leader for, as well as sound money policy and free market competition. Obviously in 2006 and 2008 the people believed that the GOP had shifted away from its roots and it needed to go back to its foundations.

The title could just have easily been, What Sex is a Democrat? The case I make in the book is that we have two political silos that have been acting dysfunctionally and shouting at one another, rather than listening to the people they’re supposed to be representing and finding the solutions.

I think in 2006 the voters of Northeast Wisconsin had a rude awakening that the primary elections weren’t necessarily owned by the people. Some people would call it election engineering by the party elites.

The majority of individuals today don’t identify with either political party – I’ve seen that 18 percent of the public identifies with Republicans and 27 percent identify with Democrats and everybody else is identifying as independent. And perhaps that’s a healthy position to be in.

What is broken in the political system today can be summed up in one word: Greed. Greed on the part of both political party elites, who want to stay in power at all costs, greed on the part of the regulators in Washington that believed that they didn’t need to oversee the banking institutions, greed on the part of the housing industry with the hyperinflation of home valuations that’s now leaving individuals with mortgages that are more expensive than their homes are worth.

We have a clash between the free market system and the ideological system which believes that we need programs to help people in crisis. Somewhere in between is the truth.

In the book I talk about political theater. It’s about the glitz and the sound bites and hiring the best spinmeisters we can possibly hire and advertisers where you have entire ranks of communications lieutenants that are out there either on the blogs or orchestrated feeders in the form of tea parties, town halls or other groups. If we want to be savvy consumers of our government and politics, we need to understand that there is political theater out there. It’s going to be up to all of us to discern what the difference is.

In terms of the health care debate, we have two completely different views of how to resolve the crisis. But, if that debate and those ideas are not allowed to be heard and they’re overwhelmed by the political theater from both sides of the aisle that don’t really care about the solutions because they’re too focused on generating campaign dollars, then the American people will continue to lose in every debate, not only health care, but manufacturing, jobs and everything else.

This issue illustrates how important it is to fix our political system, to make sure we elect integrity candidates in office. We need people who have a core set of values that they draw from, not be so vulnerable to manipulation.

What Sex Is a Republican? Stories from the Front Lines of American Politics, and How You can change the way things are

Former Rep. Terri McCormick was awarded the prestigious iUniverse ‘Editor’s Choice’ Award June 8, 2009 for her soon to be released book about politics, corruption and how ‘we as a people’ must change the way things are.

“I am both honored and humbled to receive this distinction. My focus in writing this book was to be as accurate and honest as possible. I wanted people to better understand the challenges and opportunities in our current political system,” Rep. McCormick said.

What Sex is a Republican? takes a look at the political game from behind the curtain with one intention: to call on each of us to serve in local, state and federal government. The book will be released in August and be available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

The Editor’s Choice program recognizes titles that have the essential qualities of professionally published books after a positive traditional publishing editorial evaluation. Genre specific editors are used for the Editor’s Choice recognition. Editor’s Choice selections receive an editor’s choice designation on the back cover. It is also a recommended title with a preferred marketing placement.

Reader’s Comments

Terri brings us inside the political world and exposes us to the ugly side of party politics. From sexism to bribery, the book shows politicians behaving badly as the norm, not the exception we’ve always hoped. Terri inspires all of us to reject politics as usual and to become leaders who fight for change, not those who blindly follow the status quo. This book should be required reading in all political science classrooms.

Terri writes from the heart. Her accounts of corruption in politics come with lessons on how we as a society can affect change and create a better government. As one who tried to change things from inside the chambers, she is exactly the person to deliver the message to the masses – government “business as usual” is unacceptable, and we can create the change necessary to bring our politics back in line with what our forefathers envisioned.

– Lori Widmer

Writer, editor, and author of numerous business articles.

Valley Forge, PA

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“The insight and depth of understanding presented on the pages of ‘What Sex is a Republican, Stories from the Front Lines of American Politics and how You can change the way things are,’ is a must read for anyone going into a voting booth, or considering a run for public office.”

– Mark Ellis

Neenah, WI Community Volunteer and Activist

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“Terri’s credentials and background speak for themselves. Her ability to talk to the people and stand on their side is a national first that bears repeating.”

– Dan Davies, Owner Davies Russell Communications

Offices in Wisconsin, Spielberg Award Winning Producer

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“In ‘What Sex is a Republican?’ Terri describes her experiences in very human terms, but she doesn’t leave it there. Politics isn’t a soap opera, after all; it is the legacy of our forefathers and the promise of our future. While she wrenches the moral gut with her description of the poisoned process, she holds her lens far enough from the crime scene to show us the vulnerability of those in control. Ultimately – obviously, appropriately – it is we the people who can fix these problems”

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Admittedly, I was more than a bit skeptical of What Sex is a Republican? before I began reading it.

Books trafficking anywhere near the topic of gender tend to leave me queasy – mainly because they are so seldom done well. Most books taking up the issue of gender and society fall into either the the ‘angry-at-men feminists,’ or the ‘barefooted-pregnant-wife traditionalists.’

Given that the book runs in the neighborhood of 320 pages, I was pleased that Ms. McCormick’s book fell into neither stereotype. In fact, the coup de maître of What Sex Is a Republican? is that it had little to do with the sexes at all, and much more to do with the ‘Republicans.’